FX CEO John Landgraf has addressedThe Bearseason 3’s mixed reception from critics and audiences, while also offering a tantalizing taste of season 4. AlthoughThe Bearseason 3 got positive reviewsfrom many critics, who cited the series' compelling characters and cinematography as major highlights, it was divisive for some critics and audiences who saw it slow down from season 2’s faster pace. Season 3 currently holds a 51% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many citing it as too drawn out and not as compelling as previous installments.
Speaking withPuck, however, Landgraf explained howThe Bearcreator, Chris Storer, asked for both seasons 3 and 4 in order to complete the storyline he had in mind. The CEO defended season 3 as the version of the show its creator was going for, but admitted the season’s theme of being stuck meant it wasn’t always as “riveting” as the previous installments. However, he teased that season 4 would be focusing on “unstuckness,” implying a more rapid pace for the show moving forward. Check out what Landgraf had to say below:
No, because [FX President of Original Programming] Nick Grad and I sat with [creator] Chris [Storer] at lunch, and Josh Senior, his partner. We said, “You’re at the point now where if you want more than one season of pickup, we can do it. And it may help you, because you have actors that are movie stars now; they’re going to want to go do other things, and you’re able to figure out when you’re going to make the shows and when to release them.” And they said, “No, we can’t work that way. We only want one season.” So we picked up one.
And then they got into making it, and they called us and said, “Yeah, we think we have two seasons here. Can you change the one-season pickup into a two-season pickup?” I think that the third season of the show, which is the one you referenced as not as well received, is absolutely exactly the season of television that Chris Storer wanted to make. It is a very deeply personal show. That’s part of why it’s great. There are a lot of reasons it’s great, but one of them is the relationship between the creator, the author, and the characters, and he’s been stuck a lot at times in his life, and he wanted to make a season about stuckness. I’ve been doing this a long time. I was well aware that stuckness is not necessarily the most riveting [thing to watch]. But I also think there are so many things in that [season] that are just absolute masterpieces. And I will say, knowing what I do know about the upcoming season, for those that have stayed with it, they’re going to be really well rewarded. Because after stuckness comesunstuckness.
What Landgraf’s Defense Of Season 3 Means For The Bear Season 4
The Show Has Already Set A More Rapid Pace In Motion
The Bearseason 3 endedwithCarmy (Jeremy Allen White) reading a review for the titular restaurant from theChicago Tribune, having a negative reactionto whatever their consensus was. This was the biggest event to happen in the season by far, with much of season 3 focused on the restaurant and its characters being in the same situation as tension between some of them continued to build. This reflects Landgraf’s interpretation of the episodes, indicating the previous season may have been meant to evoke feelings of boredom because its characters felt trapped in the same place.
10 Food Dishes From The Bear That Will Make Your Mouth Water
The Bear has provided plenty of tasty dishes across its three seasons, but certain meals play a larger role in the overall narrative than others.
However,The Bearseason 4will be forcing them out of that monotony, as it’s clear something at the restaurant needs to change in order for them to progress in a positive direction. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) is also facing her own crisis thanks to an offer from Adam (Adam Shapiro) that would see her in charge of her own restaurant. Since season 3 didn’t focus on much progress surrounding its major storylines,it only makes sense for theTribune’s review to be what gives everything major forward momentum, resulting in the plot moving much faster.
Our Take On Landgraf Defending The Bear Season 3
Every Season Has Felt Like A New Dish
Every season ofThe Bearhas had a different flavor to it, from season 1 being an appetizer of what the series would become, to season 2 being like the first main course.Season 3 captures the feeling of waiting for a meal for a very long time, perhaps something purposeful given how many storylines are about to reach their apex by the end. This means season 4 could feel refreshing, offering a dish that viewers can dig into and be satisfied with.
The Bearseason 4 had no set release window as of writing.
